Exploring science with communities around ARM sites is a fun way for ARM staff to connect with people living nearby and introduce them to their work supporting atmospheric research.
Recently, ARM staff participated in two community science events. A member of the site operations team from ARM’s North Slope of Alaska (NSA) atmospheric observatory took part in a science and culture fair in Alaska, and operators for the Cloud And Precipitation Experiment at kennaook (CAPE-k) joined in on a science event in Tasmania.
Barrow Arctic Research Center (BARC) Science and Culture Fair – Alaska
In Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), the BARC and Barrow Environmental Observatory hosted the BARC Science and Culture Fair from August 5 to 8, 2024. The theme of this year’s event, “Qiksiksrautiqaġniq Iñuuniaġvigmun,” or “Respect for Nature,” stressed the importance of environmental stewardship.
Valerie Sparks, an NSA site operations team member from Sandia National Laboratories, took part in this community event, which featured scientific research that has been ongoing in the region for over 75 years. The intent was to share the latest scientific advancements with the community, especially the children of Utqiaġvik, and to encourage interest in science.
Valerie assisted Helena Buurman from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Alaska Satellite Facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, during the university’s two-day engineering workshop for uncrewed aircraft. This was the fair’s most popular exhibit, with close to 90 children participating. On the first day, Valerie and the other volunteers helped the children put together their uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). Once they assembled their UAS, they attended “Flight School.” Flight missions and a UAS engineering challenge took place on the following day.
The NSA site operations team plans to have a bigger presence at next year’s fair.
Circular Head Science Gig – Tasmania
On August 12, 2024, the Circular Head Community and Recreation Centre in Smithton hosted the Circular Head Science Gig as part of National Science Week, Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology.
Frank Zurek and Tom Day, CAPE-k’s onsite operators from Hamelmann Communications, along with staff from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology at the Kennaook / Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, which is hosting CAPE-k, engaged local children with hands-on scientific activities. Frank had a weather balloon and radiosonde on display as well as some videos and photos of the autosonde launcher.
National Science Week, an initiative of the Australian government, brings over 1 million participants together through more than 1,000 events nationwide.
Families flocked to the free festivities at the Circular Head Science Gig, ready to explore. The goal of the interactive event was to foster a love for science among young attendees.